The Single Best Movie of the 21st Century, According to Critics

BASED ON THE REVIEWS, THESE ARE THE GREATEST FILMS OF THE LAST 20 YEARS.

While any list of the greatest films ever made should include movies from throughout the 20th century, the last 20 years ought to be represented as well. There have been plenty of modern-day classics released since the year 2000, many of which could be considered some of the all-time greats. But rather than incorporate those into that larger list, we're focusing solely on the past two decades with this list of the best movies of the 21st century, based on the reviews.

The folks over at Stacker used data from review aggregator site Metacritic to compile a list of the best reviewed films since 2000. These are the movies that the critics loved, and that audiences couldn't get enough of either. Read on to see if any of your 21st century favorites made the list. And for other recent picks, These Are the Best Horror Films of 2020, According to Critics.

50
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2017)
Paramount Pictures

Metascore: 92

49
Toy Story 3 (2010)
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Metascore: 92

And to see how the critics felt about other Pixar classics, check out our Ranking of Every Pixar Movie, From Worst Reviewed to Best.

48
The Rider (2018)
Sony Pictures Classics

Metascore: 92

47
The Florida Project (2017)
A24

Metascore: 92

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46
Shoah: Four Sisters (2018)
Arte

Metascore: 93

45
Sherpa (2015)
Discovery

Metascore: 93

44
Sita Sings the Blues (2009)
GKIDS

Metascore: 93

And to see what other lists this film has made, these are The 50 Best Comedies of All Time, According to Critics.

43
Yi Yi (2000)
Criterion Collection

Metascore: 93

42
Toni Erdmann (2016)
Sony Pictures Classics

Metascore: 93

41
Shoplifters (2018)
GAGA Pictures

Metascore: 93

And for some lighter family fare, these are The Best Family Movies of All Time, According to Critics.

40
There Will Be Blood (2007)
Paramount Vantage

Metascore: 93

39
Spotlight (2015)
Open Road Films

Metascore: 93

38
Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
CBS Films

Metascore: 93

37
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Sony Pictures Classics

Metascore: 93

36
We Were Here (2011)
Weissman Projects, LLC

Metascore: 94

35
Carlos (2010)
IFC Films

Metascore: 94

34
Faces Places (2017)
Le Pacte

Metascore: 94

33
Amazing Grace (2018)
Neon

Metascore: 94

32
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Sony Pictures Releasing

Metascore: 94

31
45 Years (2015)
Paramount Pictures

Metascore: 94

30
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
New Line Cinema

Metascore: 94

29
Before Midnight (2013)
Sony Pictures Classics

Metascore: 94

28
Sideways (2004)
Fox Searchlight Pictures

Metascore: 94

27
Mr. Turner (2014)
Sony Pictures Classics

Metascore: 94

26
Amour (2012)
Sony Pictures Entertainment

Metascore: 94

25
Carol (2015)
StudioCanal

Metascore: 94

24
Lady Bird (2017)
A24

Metascore: 94

23
Dunkirk (2017)
Warner Bros.

Metascore: 94

22
Marriage Story (2019)
Netflix

Metascore: 94

21
La La Land (2016)
Lionsgate

Metascore: 94

20
Inside Out (2015)
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Metascore: 94

19
The Irishman (2019)
Netflix

Metascore: 94

18
I Am Not Your N***** (2016)
Lifestyle pictures / Alamy Stock Photo

Metascore: 95

17
The Hurt Locker (2009)
Summit Entertainment

Metascore: 95

16
WALL-E (2008)
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Metascore: 95

15
A Separation (2011)
Sony Pictures Classics

Metascore: 95

14
The Social Network (2010)
Sony Pictures Releasing

Metascore: 95

13
Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
Sony Pictures Releasing

Metascore: 95

12
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
Neon

Metascore: 95

11
Ratatouille (2007)
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Metascore: 96

10
Spirited Away (2002)
Studio Ghibli

Metascore: 96

9
Gravity (2013)
Warner Bros.

Metascore: 96

8
Roma (2018)
Netflix

Metascore: 96

7
Manchester by the Sea (2016)
Amazon Studios

Metascore: 96

6
Parasite (2019)
Neon

Metascore: 96

5
12 Years a Slave (2013)
Fox Searchlight Pictures

Metascore: 96

4
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2008)
IFC Films

Metascore: 97

3
Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Warner Bros.

Metascore: 98

2
Moonlight (2016)
A24

Metascore: 99

1
Boyhood (2014)
IFC Films

Metascore: 100